Cricket on Facebook

Cricket on Twitter

World T20, 2nd Semi-Final

India vs West Indies

Mini World Cup in India

South Africa vs Sri Lanka [Q1], Ahmedabad

Group B, Match 4 SA vs SL: 78 run victory for South Africa

Oct 24, 2006

Sri Lanka were all out for 141 with 10.5 overs remaining while chasing South African score of 219/9 in their ICC Champions Trophy match at Ahmedabad. With this loss, Sri Lanka would need Pakistan to win their remaining games and would still only progress if their run-rate was superior to South Africa or New Zealand. Man of the match, Medium-pacer Shaun Pollock took two early wickets in a masterly 10-over spell. He conceded just 21 runs, dismissed Sanath Jayasuriya for three and Kumar Sangakkara for nought. He then ran out Jayawardene and caught tail-ender Muralitharan.
Earlier, Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and elected to field first. At one stage, South Africa were 30-3. AB de Villiers (54) and Jacques Kallis (43) put on 80, but they were unable to score quickly. Chaminda Vaas was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers with 2-16 from his 10 overs, while Lasith Malinga took 4-53.
It was a do-or-die battle for the Proteas, who lost their opening match against New Zealand by a big margin. The Lankans, on the other hand, were looking to consolidate their position for a semi-final berth after one loss and one win in the group stage.
South Africa (Playing XI): G Smith (Captain), B Dippenaar, H Gibbs, J Kallis, AB de Villiers, M Boucher (Wicket Keeper), J Kemp, S Pollock, R Peterson, M Ntini, A Nel
Sri Lanka (Playing XI) : U Tharanga, S Jayasuriya, M Jayawardene (Captain), K Sangakkara (Wicket Keeper), M Atapattu, T Dilshan, F Maharoof, C Vaas, L Malinga, M Muralitharan, D Fernando

Andrew Hall could lose his place

Oct 23, 2006

Andrew Hall could lose his place in the South African cricket team as the Proteas weigh their options before the crucial ICC Champions Trophy match against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
A decision to play AB de Villiers as an additional batsman could result in the versatile Hall being dropped from the team that lost by 87 runs to New Zealand in Mumbai.
Hall is one of South Africa's leading bowlers in one-day cricket and a specialist at bowling at the end of an innings.
However, coach Mickey Arthur said on Sunday they were considering one change to the team. "The decision we have to take is whether we want to play an extra batsman of a bowler.
"We had an extra bowler against New Zealand. Maybe there will be a change in strategy. If we decide on an extra batsman, AB de Villiers will regain his place. We should make a final decision by Monday afternoon after taking another look at the wicket."
The Proteas will go through to the semi-finals if they beat Sri Lanka and win their last group match, against Pakistan in Mohali on Friday.
South Africa team (from): Graeme Smith (Captain), Jacques Kallis, Loots Bosman, Mark Boucher (Wicket Keeper), AB de Villiers, Boeta Dippenaar, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Jusin Kemp, Charl Langeveldt, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Robi Peterson, Shaun Pollock
Sri Lanka team (from) : Mahela Jayawardene (Captain), Marvan Atapattu, Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chamara Kapugedara, Farveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Ruchira Perera, Dilhara Fernando, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan and Malinga Bandara.

Champions Trophy Group B: South Africa vs Sri Lanka [Q1], Ahmedabad

Venue

Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad

The Sardar Patel (Gujarat) Stadium in Motera is another impressive stadium in terms of facilities for the players. The ground will host two preliminaries and three second round matches. India will meet a qualifier on October 26.